Be Holy For I Am Holy
I was sitting in bed one night and this question came to my mind. What does The Lord mean when He commands us to “be holy for I Am Holy”? The question threw me off because I know that we mere mortals are faulty by nature, and are born and shaped in iniquity (Psalm 51:5). With this unanswered question playing in my mind, what was I to do? I went to my Creator and humbled myself to seek Father God’s wisdom (James 1:5).
If you turn in your Bible to 1 Peter 1:16 the verse reads, “for it is written: “Be Holy, because I am Holy”. In this book, Peter (one of Jesus’ disciples) is addressing a church that is dealing with persecution because of their faith. In the letter, Peter tells his readers to be holy in all they do. These gentiles once lived a life of sin and ignorance but now they have been adopted into God’s family. The verse above tells us that Christ calls us Saints, Believers, and Christians to serve Him. “But just as He who called you is Holy, so be Holy in all you do.” If the Lord calls us to salvation (to be reconnected with God the Father through confessing our sins and claiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) what does being Holy mean? Well, let’s look further.
In verse 16, being Holy is a command. Like any command, it is directed toward a person, and that person is you and I. According to Strong's Concordance, the definition of Holy means “to be set apart by God”, or in other terms “you are part of God’s people”. To be Holy means you are not transformed by the world, but your mind is renewed in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:2). This means that we no longer adopt worldly principles or identities. Now we are one with Christ so our identities and actions match this simple truth. Verse 14 also states “[a]s obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance”. Wow, to God be the Glory! Again, we see a consistent theme of not being transformed by a secular world, but being transformed and renewed by a Holy and Perfect God.
This message may sound like the type that you would get as a regular Sunday morning lesson, but let me tell you there is power in this message. Simply reading through the message and saying “Yes God is good, and we are called to be good too” is not the core of this message. No, that is the opposite of what Peter is saying in 1 Peter. Peter is telling the readers that Holiness is not of human nature. We mere humans can not obtain Holiness by our own merit. In the following verses (1 Peter 1:17-21) we receive hope and faith in God through Jesus Christ. You may ask, “what does this mean?”. In other words, every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17), friend this includes Holiness!
Wow! That is something to truly shout about! What other God do you know, who grants His creation with gifts so they can use them to worship Him? Simply there is no one like our God. Therefore, as you finish the rest of this devotion here, take this Simple Truth with you. In everything you do, give glory and honor to your Creator (Colossians 3:17).
“For God can not be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7-9). We are spirit beings in a human shell. Everything we do here on earth, whether good or bad, has repercussions. Dear friends, I pray that you all choose to live a life that is Holy and blameless in the sight of God (Ephesians 1:4). Our lives here are short and but a vapor, so if you don't know Jesus and would like to have an intimate relationship with Him, I encourage you to say these words out loud.
“Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness.
I believe that You died for my sins and that You rose from the dead. I turn from my
sins and ask You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You, as my
Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.”
If you just prayed with a humble and sincere heart, I say welcome into the Kingdom. You just made the most important decision of your life. Obtaining salvation is the first step in your relationship with God. Now you must also walk in holiness and leave your old life of sin behind you (2 Peter 1:5-8 & Matthew 16:24-25). Just like the scriptures detailed above, such gifts like Faith, Holiness, and Hope are gifts from God, and when you keep walking with Him you shall receive such gifts more abundantly. Dear friend, I implore you to always humble yourself when seeking the Lord, pray continually, and do everything to give glory and thanks to Your Father above.
Go in Peace <3.